Adventures in the Underwater Classroom

Transcription

Adventures in the
Underwater Classroom
By Captain Kirby Kurkomelis
Copyright © Patent Pending 2012 by Kirby Kurkomelis
Cover: Kirby Kurkomelis boarding Wahoo ladder
Photo: By Rick Kleinschuster
All rights reserves. Any part of this book may be
reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means,
electronic or mechanical, including photo copying,
recording, or by any information storage and retrieval
system without permission in writing from the author.
DISCLAIMER
Scuba diving with compressed air
involves inherent risks which can
result in serious injury or death.
This guide is not a substitute for
a scuba diving standardized training
course from a recognized scuba
training agency.
The Underwater Archeologist and
wreck diver are especially prone to
injury, since his or her focus may be
else where. Safety procedures must
be second nature for the underwater
explorer to survive.
I
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kirby Kurkomelis was certified in 1966 open water
diver. Today a Master Instructor P.A.D.I. (Professional of
Association of Diving Instructors), Wreck Diving, Deep Diving,
Search and Recovery, Night Diving, Underwater Navigation,
Cold Water Diving, Scientific Collection Instructor, Paramedic
Jumper, Dry Suit Diving, Underwater Photography, Nitrox
Instructor and Oxygen Administration BLS ( Basic Life
Support), Instructor for Dive Professional with on site
Neurological Assessment ,AEDs, Underwater Naturalist, with
professional, Hazardous marine animals training, Underwater
Archaeological and Environmental Planning , Diving Safety
Officer (USMMA), Scientific Diving, Public Safety Diving
Instructor U.S.S. San Diego, Oregon, U853, U.S.S. Bass,
Expeditions, Scientific Diving Officer, Level I, II, III, IV, OSHA
Health and Safety. Capt. Kirby is presently the Diving Safety
Instructor for the United States Merchant Marine Academy
(USMMA), and has taught scuba at S.U.NY Martine College,
research projects in the past have dealt with Pollution in the
"New York Bight", and studies of horseshoe crabs on the East
Coast, Kirby has a specialties in marine technology and
sciences. He is currently training scientists and technicians to
perform a variety of underwater research. Other specialties
include precious metals, gold, silver bullion and assaying.
Kirby is also a member of the American Academy of
Underwater Science, also A Scientific Diving Instructor.
Captain Kirby holds advanced specialties in Public
Safety Diving, Black Water Diving, Black Water Search
Operations SAR, Rapid Deployment Search and Rescue /
Recovery, Dive Tender, Rapid Response and Recovery Diving,
Drowning Investigations. Kirby was an alternate Captain on
the R.V. Wahoo, running weekly expeditions to offshore
wrecks for scientists, oceanographers and divers. Currently
offering specialty training to local police and fire municipality’s
scuba and water rescue teams in Public Safety dive training.
Kirby is a licensed United States Coast Guard Merchant Marine
Officer (Master License). Specialty in Maritime Technology in
Vessel Operations, editor of the Sub Aqua Journal, America’s
first wreck diving magazine with his monthly column entitled
Kirby’s Corner. Kirby has published over 200 photographs and
articles in other magazines. His book “Introduction to Scientific
Diving”
Andrea Doria Cup Saucer and Silver
Photo by Captain Steve Bielenda
USS San Diego Compass
Author’s Collection
III
Preface
It seems like yesterday. But it was a lifetime ago.
I was sitting on a sandy beach with my Father. I was a
kid seven or eight years old. It was Beach 8 Street. This
sandy beach had enough room for a towel. We lived on
Beach 9 Street.
The water was a crisp blue-green. The visibility
clear. I was always interested in the ocean. I was day
dreaming about my uncle John Kurkomelis an
Underwater Demolition Team member (UDT) diver from
World War ll. He and I would sit for hours and tell me
stories about his diving adventures in the south pacific
and of the team of UDT divers.
Then suddenly! A man in an all black suit
came out of the water. The diver had all sorts of
equipment on him. I ran over and began to talk with
him. The diver explained to me the learning process.
After a few minutes which I thought was a life
time. I ran back to my Father. I was in awe. I looked
straight into my Father eyes and said “Dad”, this is what
I want to be when I grow up, an underwater
explorer!” My father smiled. The adventure begins….
IV
give
This book is an accumulation of short stories and
articles from the Sub Aqua Journal years. The late
1980’s to the early 1990’s. The people, the stories, fun,
the history. This is the second book in the Underwater
Classroom series.
Many people have sent me their pictures for this
e-book and I am unable to verify the source of all the
pictures, if you see a picture that is your copyright
please e-mail. I will remove it from this e-book I will
remove it on the next site update. Or if you wish I can
credit you for your picture. Because the copyright of
these pictures could be held by thousands of people or
is lost in obscurity I am in a position to give permission
for the use of any of the pictures on my site.
I would like to thank the following friends for their
time, patience and knowledge, Captain Steve Lombardo,
Don Finck, Joel Silverstein, Sub Aqua Journal Team and
Captain Steve Bielenda ****
I would like to acknowledge and sincerely thank
all who have donated their pictures for this guide. Many
of these pictures are from my collection. It is these
scuba professionals who made this publication possible.
V
Adventures in the
Underwater Classroom
By Captain Kirby Kurkomelis
VI
Contents
1.
A Whale of a Story………..…….…..…...……..1
2.
H.M.S. Culloden……………….…..……....….….7
3.
My Secret……...….…………….……......….….13
4.
The Roda ………...……………………..…….....17
5.
Bass Run….………….…..…...………....….…..21
6.
Oregon….………………………...….……..…....25
7.
Flash Backs……….…………….….………..…..29
8.
U853………………………………………………...33
9.
U.S.S. Turner……………………….….…..…....38
10. A Few Tails……….….……………..……...…....42
11
Atlantic Beach Reef ..…….………...…….…..45
12. Acara……....………………...………....….……..47
12. S.S. Drumelzier………………...……….….…...50
13. Thomas Dunlap .………….……….…....….…..53
14. U.S.S San Diego…………….…....….…….......58
15. Sharks……………….……………….……………..61
VII
A Whale of a Story
Beluga Whale
It was a cold and wintery morning. I wanted to
stay home, read the Sunday paper. Listen to some
music. It reminded me of a similar day in March of 1986
News Flash… White whale sighted swimming
underneath Long Beach Bridge. In less than five
minutes my equipment was packed. I raced in the rain
to pick up my friend Richie. Once in the car, the engine
screamed ten minutes later, Atlantic Bridge and then
the Long Beach Bridge.
At the site Richie was complaining about the cold
rain. Richie thought I was crazy to jump over the rock
jetty into the cold dark waters of Reynolds Channel. I
geared up and entered the water myself, while Richie
stayed warm in the car. On the verge of hypothermia
and ice forming around my mask rim, I terminated the
first of many searches.
1
Kirby Kurkomelis
Diving Safety Officer
2
Over the next few weeks I kept a constant vigil
under the bridge. Suit on, equipment ready and camera
glued to my palm. I stood in knee high water, agonizing
at every white cap that the wind brought in. When I
wasn’t diving I gathered information about whales. They
are the world’s largest mammals and friendly, singing
songs while traveling the ocean in pods searching for
food. What was this one doing in the Reynolds Channel?
As the month of April arrived I put my boat in the
water. My first destination, Reynolds Channel. In search
of the whale. Suddenly off the port quarter I spotted
her, lost and traveling in a circle.
She was a Beluga whale (Delphinapterus Lecucas)
about six feet long. The baby whale started playing with
my boat, splashing water onto the deck with a
characteristic smile. I got her to follow me and after a
while the whale made it out of East Rockaway Inlet back
into the Atlantic. Waving farewell to Baby, her new
nickname, I turned my boat and headed toward home.
Beluga Whale
3
Kirby and Beluga Whale
The diving season was off to a great start. Warm
blue-green water surrounded the East Rockaway Inlet,
bluefish chasing spearing onto the beach. While diving
on the 27th street wreck-an old tug rumored to be a
rum runner now in 15 fsw-with my friend Joel, we
explored the boiler standing four feet off the bottom.
On closer inspection the boiler was alive,
covered in orange sponge with little anemones
camouflaged from crabs. Laying quietly a goose-fish
with its mouth open waited for a crab to fall off a
broken pipe above. Heading north along her broken
planks I could see where blackfish swam cautiously in
and around the wreck’s broken pipes and hull plates.
Suddenly a great shadow blocked out the sun;
the sea bass swam for cover. Instantly my buddy was
in the boat looking down at me. Floating neutral I saw
a large white animal about 13 feet long stalking me.
Looking up through the blue-green haze, I
turned towards the anchor line to encounter my friend
Baby. With a slight caress of her nose against my
body, together we toured the wreck like old pals.
4
Photo
Courtesy of Capt Steve Lombardo
Photo
Courtesy of Capt Steve Lombardo
5
Author
6
H.M.S. Culloden
It was the team’s last expedition for the year. The
Seahunt Dive Team headed out towards Montauk Point,
New York. To dive and explore the H.M.S. Culloden ship
wreck, a British war ship! The Culloden, along with two
other vessels the America and Bedford. Standing guard
at the entrance to Block Island Sound. A group of French
War ships, running a British blockade in 1781.
That night a terrible storm took the H.M.S.
Culloden’s heart and soul. The Culloden ran aground in
25 feet of water (fsw) on the North shore of Montauk
Point. Overlooking the Montauk Light House. The British
anticipating that the French would try to salvage her, set
fire to the H.M.S. Culloden. The British burned the
H.M.S. Culloden to the water line and she sank in
20fsw. Where the Colluden rests today, which is now
called Culloden Point.
British Warship
7
The team headed down a long set of wooden
stairs on to a rocky beach. It was 11am and it was low
tide. Wind out of the south at 5mph. Large boulders
line the water edge as the team discusses their dive
plan. The plan was to document the remains of the
H.M.S Culloden. using underwater video.
There was wave action when the team hit the
water. I fell twice, but managed to get my balance. I set
my compass along with my team 330 degrees towards
the wreck. The team was following a heading that many
divers have taken before. Final safety check. In my
briefing I mention that because this site is the easterly
point of Long Island, one could get caught in an
outgoing tide and get swept away. That ‘s why I chose
the incoming tide.
We had time to do the dive and get back to shore.
Of course when you dive off the beach there is a great
chance that a diver will be pulled out further by the fast
moving current. Which at this time was the team’s only
problem. But the team had extensive fast water
experience and we were ready to go. We headed out in
search of history.
The H.M.S. Culloden beckoned us. The water
temperature was 50 degrees and the visibility was 20
feet, we continued on until we came across a small
debris field. It was ribbing and planking. It was 3 feet
wide and about 25 feet long.
The team was in 20 feet of water. In the distance
ahead, we could see 3 distinct objects. The team moved
closer. The objects were gigantic iron cannons. Some
weighing 10,000lbs. What a find.
8
The team moved on. Out of the corner of my eye. I
could see a pile of cannon balls. They were the size of
bowling balls, about 60lbs each. To my extreme right was
a large broken Steel lobster trap. The team was 40
minutes into the dive.
It was time to start heading back to shore. We
reversed course. There were a few bottle nose spotted
sting rays around the cannon along the bottom. Their
blue spots shining brightly. The bottle nose skates are
electrically charged and can deliver a shock to you. We
continued on along the sand and gravel beds passing
ballast stones and rock grabs.
Our course was due south. Our distance from shore
was about 150 yards as we swam across broken timbers.
There were piles of empty mussels scattered along the
bottom. We did not have time to study the reason why
they were broken.
The rocks in the water, which look like ballast
stones were getting bigger. One could hear underwater
that the waves were breaking on the beach. There was a
cross current running from the west to the east. The
water started to get shallower. My dive buddy Steve was
ahead of me.
The current along with the wind had pulled us a
couple hundred yards down the beach, our dive time was
now 55 minutes. We made it in safely. We had plenty of
video. Our next adventure is…
A few months back I had a chance to visit the
H.M.S. Culloden Museum in Long Island New York. I
was impressed with the history and artifacts of the
H.M.S. Culloden and the information I gathered. And
this is what I found out.
9
Cannon
Courtesy of Captain Steve Lombardo
Spotted Skate
10
In 1971 Professor Henry W. Moeller, an undersea
archaeologist associated with Dowling College,
discovered the keel and large wooden beams resting in
between 10 ft and 15 ft of water 150 ft off Culloden
Point. A gudgeon imprinted with the name Culloden was
recovered. Subsequent recovery efforts brought up a 32pounder cannon as well as copper sheathing. A sketch of
the outline of the ruins showed the ship resting on a
large boulder.
Since 1979 the wreck site has been listed on the
National Historic places which prohibits SCUBA DIVERS
from taking artifacts from, or otherwise disturbing the
wreck and its artifacts.
H.M.S. Culloden underwater
Courtesy of the Culloden Museum
11
Culloden Point
H.M.S. Culloden Museum
12
Clarks Beach
My Secret
Sub Aqua Journal Friends
Photo by Joel Silverstein
I had just finished teaching a group of underwater
explorers. It was time to take my new friends on their
first underwater tour.
Clarks Beach or commonly called secret beach is
located in the town of Greenport, Long Island. This area
is home to a variety of marine life that inhabit this rocky
shore on the northern tip of Long Island Sound. Small
gravel stones make up this site and large boulders
which were deposited over time from the arctic protrude
out of the water.
I discussed the divers’ dive plan. The divers took a
compass heading off the beach, which was south. With
excitement in the air, the five female divers were ready.
13
Our visibility was 20 feet. The air temperature
was 72 degrees. A mild current guided us through this
magical world of Jules Verne.
The first creature we came upon was a pipefish
(synganthus fuscus) standing guard at the entrance to
his domain. I guided the divers north, the bottom
started to change to small boulders with seaweed and
kelp reaching up to grasp the sun rays. Underneath,
tucked away in a crevice. In a large boulder, a colony of
sea urchins (arbicia punctual) fed on a piece of brain
coral and barnacles that encrusted the rocks. Signaling
each diver not to pick them up. Their needle like spines
which protrude from all directions, can cause an allergic
reaction if they become broken in your skin.
Sea Urchins
14
We headed northeast passing a huge boulder. To
my surprise swimming around it was a school of
beautiful Queen triggerfish (baslistes Ventula ) with
painted blue stripes on her face chasing small crabs that
were feeding off the algae on the rock
Queen triggers travel from the Caribbean to as far
north as Massachusetts. Queen triggerfish are the most
common of all triggerfish. Their hardiness and ability to
survive under abnormal conditions make them a prize
for the tropical fish enthusiast. This fish can be
dangerous; it has very sharp teeth and a vicious tail
which is used when annoyed. The Queen trigger
continued to swim with us for a while.
Queen Triggerfish
15
About 75 kick cycles out, I adjusted our course
heading, 90 degrees. It started to get a little deeper, 20
fsw. I could see two divers adjusting their BCD’s.
We came upon a large fluke, about 10lbs
camouflaged in the sand waiting for a fisherman’s worm
to feed on. Boulders were everywhere, red and white
sponge covered most of the rocks. Bergalls were always
present ranging from 4-8 inches in size.
The group was amazed at the abundance of
marine life. The current picked up. Out of the corner of
my eye I saw bluefish off in the distance. I signal to the
divers to keep a sharp eye for the different types of
jellyfish which we have encountered.
One was very close, a Lions mane (cynea
capillata), with yellow-red color and 18 inch long
stinging tentacles. On close inspection there were
juvenile Butterfish swimming in and out of the jellyfish’s
realm. Under the protection of the jellyfishes tentacles.
Some people are sensitive to a jellyfish’s sting. My
divers gave this one a wide berth.
It was getting time to head back to the beach.
Our course was south by southwest. Everybody was
having a great time.
Suddenly we picked up a hitch hiker; a Striped
bass who guided us to a drain pipe which lead us to
shore. One by one the divers broke the surface. Wonder
in their eyes, ecstasy in their breath. I thought to
myself, who’s next?
16
The Roda
A dive on a British tramp steamer sounded like
fun. We headed around Jones beach jetty. The waves
slashed icy water in our faces as the wind blew at our
backs, our boat rounded Jones Inlet. Determined to get
out despite worsening weather and wave conditions,
this was to be our last dive of the season.
My dive buddy Don Finck and I held tight to the
rail of the boat skimming across the waves. We were
two divers looking for lost souls of the sea.
The Roda ran aground during a raging storm in
February 1908. She broke in two amidships, her heavy
cargo of ore spilling into the sea. Like most ships that
ground on a sand bar, the vessel was forced inshore on
Tobay beach. In 20-30 feet salt water (fsw), her bow
and stern now close to the surface marking her territory
as time goes on. Yet they had once been awash.
As an artificial reef, the Roda is home to many
different types of marine fish such as bluefish, blackfish,
tropical fish, striped bass, sea bass, fluke and flounder
to name a few.
Heading towards the Roda, all I could think of
were the large schools of blackfish that had a greenish
color. To me, they tasted different too, probably due to
the copper ore (rumored to be mixed with silver) the
fish ingest through mollusks in their food chain
The ocean’s pounding opened up her hull, badly
twisting it and littering the shallow bottom for an area
of 315 ’ long by 44’ wide abeam.
17
Divers still find artifacts: bottles, brass items and
cargo that the crew pushed overboard to lighten the
ship; even the life boats were set adrift , the crew used
the last lifeboat to get off safely as the ship broke apart
in the surf
Nearing the Roda, Don slowed the boat down to a
halt. I threw the anchor off to the edge of the wreck site
and into the sand so the outgoing tide would not drag
our boat across the shallow wreckage.
Carefully we slipped over the side, each cutting
the water like a knife. As though we were entering
enemy territory. We made sure not to hit any part of
the steamship’s ribs that come within inches of the
surface, reaching towards the surface like plants
welcoming sunlight. To my disbelief, the anchor had
landed into a stray pile of wreckage next to a large
horseshoe crab.
The sand bottom was covered with broken hull
plates and greenish rocks (copper ore). The visibility
was about 10 to 15 feet, not bad for a wreck a few
hundred yards offshore.
Within her skeletal remains schooling blackfish
calmly stood guard over their pylons despite a fast
current running east to west. But Don and I had a
problem. We could not remain neutrally buoyant.
The current kept pushing us into the wreck,
banging us around; the blackfish seemed to have it
under control. Struggling to maintain buoyancy, we
endured. Our wetsuits bore the battle scars of rust as
we rubbed the side of the wreck.
18
Between her ribs we found a safe haven from the
rip current outside their remains. There in this entrance,
close to one of her joints was a good size lobster. She
was green so I left her to stand guard. Moving along her
fragile skeleton we could see that although the years
have not been kind to the Roda, she is covered with
lots of marine life.
Different color sponges from orange to white
cover the light side of her old hull, tiny shrimps dance
across their little fingers in the surge. Anemones fixed
tightly to their host, nematocysts (stinging cells)
reaching for small minnows that stop to pick up food off
the barnacles. These mollusks can tear a wet suit and
gloves if the diver is not careful. (I need a new Pair!)
Large rock crabs patrol the broken clamshells that
fisherman toss over the side to entice the green
blackfish out of their holes.
Tramp Steamer
19
Closer to the bottom I found a brand new anchor
and chain lodged near her propeller shaft. “Another one
for my collection” I thought as I cut off the rope. Don had
his hand in a hole reaching for a lobster. He pulled it out
and turned it over. She was a female with eggs so he
released her for next time. This day we would be buying
dinner on shore.
It was getting late, so we decided to backtrack our
way back to the anchor. Still waiting at our entry point in
the ribs, was our green lobster friend. Watching the
traffic at the anchor line was our other friend the
horseshoe crab (Limulus Polyphemus) feeding on broken
clams. We headed up the line as the tide was going out,
our boat safety floating down away from the wreck, we
boarded.
Orange Sponge
20
Bass Run
The current was strong and fast, just the way I
like it, about 3 knots. The visibility 15 feet. Clear
enough for me, ok for the stripers. My drift would be
long, about a mile. I can still remember the name- bass
run- a phrase used by a group of spear fisherman over
30 years ago, when I spent my summers diving in and
around the East Rockaway Inlet, New York. There were
free divers like Ronnie, Tommie, Bobby, Brad and
Monkey John. Great spear fisherman with an 8 foot
Hawaiian spear. Most spears were made by Ronnie, a
great spear fisherman and diver.
While suiting up my DUI suit, I went over my dive
plan with my dive buddy Don Finck. He’d stay in the
boat and follow my drift, keeping a sharp eye out for
speeding boats in the inlet. My equipment was simple
and easy to put on. A spear/mask/fins/snorkel. My big
knife, and a stringer to carry my bounty.
Author
Photo by Don Finck
21
My starting point would be the Atlantic Beach
Bridge, where there is a four knot current on the
outgoing tide. Over the side I went. By the time I
loaded my sling I was coming upon the bridge. In one
breath the bottom came up fast, 35fsw. Blackfish
everywhere, a few shorts (stripers), nothing to talk
about. I headed for the surface. Behind me lay the boat
still drifting under the bridge. I did the span in one
breath swimming along the bottom.
I started making my way across the channel to
the Atlantic Beach side. Boats buzzed by me. Don acted
as my blocker. Each dive was different, sand bottom to
mussels, broken pilings that hold many secrets.
Suddenly, a 35+ pound striper crossed my path…
I fired, scraping the gill plate. He disappeared into
the haze. The veins in my legs strained to power me to
the surface. My air bubbles guided me up. I gasped for
air. Another breath and I was down. On the bottom, I
hear the snap of his tail in the distance. But the striper
was nowhere to be found. I was tired, and headed to
the surface. I was cold. The water was taking away my
body heat every second.
The East Rockaway Inlet came up fast. The jetty
was close at hand. Big waves crashed on the jetty with
a swift current pulling towards the rocks. I signaled to
Don to stay a safe distance outside the wave zone.
Danger lurked behind every wave, with razor sharp
rocks waving to me.
22
Any spear fisherman worth his salt knows that
getting caught between the waves and the rocks means
death. I tried to time the wave sets. They were too
erratic, coming from all sides. White water everywhere.
Taking a deep breath, I went straight down. A
blackfish weighting 10 pounds crossed my sights. I firedhe was mine. Another wave hit, I strung the fish, and a
lone striper swam quietly by me. I noticed a small nick
on his gill plate. A quick reload. Then a huge wave hit me
and threw me into the rocks- almost breaking my back.
I surfaced screaming. “Come back you striper”!
Another wave hit, barely catching my breath, flinging me
onto the rocks. This time I could feel the barnacles
ripping my flesh. I slid down the rocks slowly in
agony. Burning with desire, I got out of the way of the
next wave.
Every muscle in my body hurt. I was cold and tired.
The waves were getting bigger. In the distance, Don was
waving me in. No, I was hungry. Hungry for striper.
Down and deep I went. The great surge picked up
my tired body like a piece of seaweed and crashed it into
the barnacle encrusted rocks.
23
My lungs were ready to burst. I could barely catch
my breath. Out of nowhere a heavy object slammed into
my chest, knocking out the rest of my air. I swallowed a
ton of water as I gasped for breath. In the center of my
chest lay a 35 pound stripe bass. Almost as surprised as
I was, he glared at me with his fishy eyes. I had little
strength left for the fight. The striper had just enough to
flip his tail, whack me in the face and knocking off my
mask. The striper swam. I aimed and fired! A hit and into
the sunset. I smiled as I struggled into the boat. Looking
back at the jetty I thought, "Just another day in
paradise”…
Author
24
Oregon
It seemed like a dream. The water was dark blue
and the sun rays shinning on the deck of the boat. The
team entered the water. A large Lions mane jellyfish
crossed my path with its gleaming blue-green tentacles
dangling 4-5 feet behind her. One could see little fish
that are immune to the jellyfish’s poison. Sucking in
and expelling water like a blue mist running across a
midnight sky. A small group of Pilot fish ducked for
cover inside this living minefield.
It reminded me of a great movie I once saw
about a big squid looking for a few friends to munch
on. But I felt at home sinking fast. At the bottom of the
line lay the Cunard Steamship Oregon. Moving closer
to her massive outline in the sand, I could feel the
presence of a great spirit. Her smoke stacks lay silent
now, half buried in the sand. Making great homes for
large lobster. Nearby lay her riggings, a road map to
her past. Her decks have given way, leaving a
mountain of artifacts with vast amount of life
swimming in and out of the wreckage. Walls of giant
sea Anemones and White sponges decorate her broken
hull which is scattered along the bottom.
The Steam Ship Oregon, built in 1881 was to be
one of the largest and fastest steamers of her time.
She was 518 feet long with 54 foot a beam. Her high
speed steam engines broke all transatlantic records.
One dark morning in 1886, en route to New York
from Liverpool, the Oregon collided with an unknown
schooner. It could have been the Charles R. Morse of
Maine. She was reported missing that night. All hands
went down with the schooner.
Staying afloat for eight hours, all the passengers
on the Oregon were rescued.
25
With the pumps working throughout the night the
ship slowly sank.
Today the Steam Ship Oregon lies in 130 feet of
water (fsw), 21 miles southeast of Fire Island Inlet. Our
boat in this dive was the R.V. Wahoo. The captain had
anchored the boat in the stern of the wreck, just behind
the steering quadrant. Divers started getting ready.
We entered the water, using the anchor line as we
descended down to the wreck site. Coming into view
was the steering quadrant a magnificent sight. Hiding
under the rudder between broken hull plants was an
eight-pound lobster who was trying to back into his
hole. Too deep to reach in. Swimming in the direction of
the rudder, I notice plenty of large mussels sharing
space with dancing brown scallops.
Cup and Saucer
26
I started to fill my bug bag with some scallops.
Half buried in the sand was a piece of broken china.
Reaching down for it, a lobster caught my eye as he
stuck his head out of his hiding place. The dish didn’t
move. The lobster found its way into my bag along with
the dish. With the current pushing me gently backward, I
ventured forward to the boilers in search of some dishes.
Along the way I saw two divers working on a
porthole. In the distance, cod fish were swimming in and
out of her twisted rubble enjoying the cold water. The
water temperature was 50 degrees. With 20 minutes into
the dive, I began to think about finding more china. A
rare but prized find, from this wreck.
Brass Porthole
27
Torn fishing nets adorn the Steam Ship Oregon’s
stern, snaring and trapping small fish or the unlucky
diver that is not paying attention. I could see crabs on
the webbing enjoying their free meal. Plenty of hooks
and sinkers to go around. Lying underneath the webbing
was a small cup, opening up my bug bag; the two
lobsters tried to make a break but failed. Off in the sand
at the end of the crow’s nest lay a large debris field.
It was 25 minutes into the dive, time to head back
to the anchor line. In the distance those two divers finally
attached their lift bag to the porthole. Up she went in a
cloud of bubbles. The divers followed. By the time I
reached the anchor line there lay a torn lift bag and
porthole…
Oregon
njscuba.net
28
Flash Backs
It was the night before Christmas, not a creature
was stirring, not even a diver on this cold winter night.
Sitting back in my favorite chair. Sipping a warm glass
of brandy. In the fire place a log burned. I was
skimming through my photo album. With each page, a
fond memory raced through my mind. Looking back, I
didn’t take enough pictures, Bob Roth, Don Finck, Elliot
Blum and Steve Bielenda. Where has the time gone.
We were all on the boat yesterday. But the
images held fast in my mind. I started to recall some of
my best moments. Frame by frame. Some snapshots
were hazy, others like a lion-fish–razor sharp spines
burned like the sting of a jellyfish.
Author
Photo by Joel Silverstein
29
Any wreck diver knows that it is very difficult to
search and recover objects while taking pictures at the
same time. I recall diving back in the 60’s on beach 8th
street in Far Rockaway, NY. On the first jetty, south of
the parking lot, where the bulkhead has been replaced.
At the end of the rocks. A few feet from the
surface on low tide, a small piece of white coral started
to grow and flourish in these cold northern waters. The
size of the brain coral was about six inches across
surrounded by orange sponge. Always a nearby
butterfly fish feeding on this new addition to a living
reef. Some divers had taken pictures, I didn’t. Today
the coral has grown to a size of six feet across.
One of my first dives was the Iberia, an old tramp
steamer that sunk in 1888 in 60 fsw. I remember
lobsters at every turn, blackfish 10 pounds or better
swimming out and around her hull plates.
A porthole waits for some lucky diver to recover
it. Her boilers stand tall in the sand to mark the diver’s
location and way back to the line. Today the bulkheads
have broken down; cargo crates filled with sand instead
of dates. Wreckage scattered and twisted. The lobster
hunter has to work for his dinner. Now I have to throw
back my short lobster.
Brain Coral
30
Small fish feed and reproduce, all part of the food
chain. They in turn enable larger marine life to grow and
spawn new life.
Two of my favorite in shore man-made reefs are
the Rockaway Beach Reef and the Atlantic Beach Reef,
both about five miles southeast of the East Rockaway
Inlet, New York. Both with plenty of marine life.
At the Rockaway Reef, we found plenty of tires
with lobsters hiding in them. (I made sure to bring my
spear gun along so I could take a sea bass or two for
dinner tonight).
Diving both of these local reefs can be fun for
catching tropical fish. Because the reefs are located
close to the Gulf Stream current. Tropical fish like
butterflies, file fish, and even an occasional parrot fish
and a black and white spotted eel. Each fish making his
way up here late in the season and inhabiting the
shores of New York and New Jersey.
Rockaway Reef
31
Although the depth of these reefs is only about 35
-50 fsw, the visibility is usually a good 15-20 feet at
high slack tide.
Don’t be surprised when you come across an Ice
Cream truck or two at the Atlantic Beach Reef,
surrounded by schools of blackfish. These two, are an
interesting part of the artificial reef system.
Be careful when you stick your hand in for an ice
cream pop, there may just be a large lobster there! We
pulled a 17-pounder out of a door in the area next to a
sunken barge filled with concrete pipes.
So the next time your buddy wants to go diving
on a living reef with lots of life, you can pull out your
secret map and head south...
USS Algol Artificial Reef
32
U853
German Submarine
The year was 1971, this would be the first of
many dives on the U853 off Block Island with a group
of veteran wreck divers on the old Helen II out of
Montauk, New York. The wreck sits in 130 fsw (feet salt
water) off Block Island.
The U853 was a type lXC German U-Boat, she
was 259.9 feet long and 22.5 feet wide and displaced
740 tons.
There were many rumors concerning the sinking
of U853 whether or not the boat received orders from
the German high command to stop fighting. Many of the
U-Boat commanders were young elite fanatical
members of the German Navy.
It was my first U boat. I became addicted. I was
so excited, and I didn’t know if I was coming or going. I
suited up my new blue Bailey wet suit. Placed my new
diving computer on my wrist ( SOS meter)
My dive partner was named Jeep, oh his name
seemed funnier than a name like Kirby. Once down the
line we crawled inch by inch kick by kick along the bow.
We encountered a school of pollack, 30 pound class or
better swimming around the conning tower. The wood
planking gone, the ribs not exposed yet. Great for
pictures. Deck gun still in place.
The U-Boat was alive with marine life. Plenty of
Northern Red Anemones were firmly attached to her
rotting hull. Between her planks we could see fat rock
eels. On further examination one could still see
torpedoes in her tubes. We continued our dive along
the deck. Wood planking rotted away over the years.
33
Reaching the conning tower, I looked down the
hatch. It was dark and clear. I thought to myself, about
the lost treasure that so many divers spoke about. If I
could only get inside to search. I’m sure that I would
find it. Then suddenly my dive partner had succumbed
to nitrogen narcosis. He had his legs wrapped around
the deck gun, swinging upside down back and forth. I
kept looking back and forth, treasure or diver, treasure
or diver? The treasure won out. I headed for the hatch.
Head first I dove into the hatch and got stuck
upside down. My feet swinging in the breeze. I was
stuck upside down in the hatch way of the conning
tower. Now that’s a picture. To boot my dive computer
(SOS meter) rolls off my arm into the sub. That’s $85
dollars that fell into the sub. Just ten feet away. I have
to think fast! There’s goes my dive plan.
I decided to remove and replace my scuba unit
(double 80’s), reverse myself and put them back on.
Once on the deck, breathing thru my regulator. I
could see Jeep having his way with the deck gun. My
eyes still glued to the open hatch and my computer
below decks. I did the unthinkable!
I took a few breaths from my regulator and while
holding my breath I free dove the wreck in search of my
computer and treasure. This seemed pretty easy, a
couple of breaths later. My computer (SOS meter) said
it was time to head up. I grabbed Jeep and headed up
the line.
Jeep and I did an extra long hang about 20
minutes. Once on the dive boat, after we took off our
equipment Jeep came over to me and said. Kirby I
think I got pretty narced out on the bottom.
34
I said to Jeep what do you mean? I thought I
saw you swimming around the sub without scuba. I
brought Jeep closer. I said don't tell that to anyone!
They will think that you were hallucinating under the
water and they will not dive with you. We shook hands
and he promised not to tell...
U26
Uboat.net
U 853
Uboat.net
35
U853 Winter Garden Railing
U853 Winter Garden Railing and Deck Gun
36
Shells
U Boat Dry Dock
37
The U.S.S. Turner
We had gotten a late start, it was already 10 a.m.
and there was a line at the gas dock. We had to slip in
as fast as possible to beat the other boats in line.
Finally, at 10:30 we were headed out of Debs Inlet
toward the Rockaways. The sea at the time was 1-2 feet
and the wind was out of the south at 3mph.
My crew that morning, Don Finck and Dennis
Bram, they had been diving on my boat for years. Our
goal that day was lobsters and plenty of them; of course
we had all our lobster permits. Lobsters, lobsters, and
more lobsters. That all we could think of that day. And
the best place we could go for them was the inshore
wreck of the U.S.S. Turner…
The U.S.S. Turner, a destroyer, was at anchor a
few miles off the Rockaways, New York when she
exploded and sank one cold winter night in 1944. So
close to the beach, yet too far to swim it, she makes a
great dive for anyone who can get there by boat. But
like all wrecks she has her problems. The U.S.S Turner
lies in the middle of the shipping lanes to New York
Harbor, so you must always have someone onboard
your boat while diving on the wreck.
USS Turner
38
The sky was clear and we could see the Jersey
Highlands in the distance as we steered out of Debs
Inlet towards the site. We could notice the change in
the color of the water as it went from blue-green to
blue. The white water ran from under the boat. All we
could think of was those large critters running around
the Turner in and out of their holes.
The loran numbers that I had proved to be
correct. Don threw out the red buoy; Dennis tossed out
the anchor into the blue. I set up the dive flag. We
could see that many of the other boats were filled with
fisherman trying to catch different types of fish that also
inhabit this wreck site.
After discussing our dive plan, Don went off the
boat first into the water then I followed.
We had decided to leave Dennis behind to keep an
eye on the boat while we were diving.
Sea bass
39
At 30fsw we hit a nasty thermocline. That’s a
layer of water having a different temperature, usually
occurring close to the surface or deep in the sea). Lucky
for us we were wearing our full suits including our
boots, hoods and gloves to reach out and grab those
large bugs. At the bottom we made sure that our anchor
was set securely, and then Don and I headed out in
front of the anchor line. The first thing we saw was a
large sea bass chasing small crabs around the wreck.
The U.S.S Turner lies in 50 to 60 fsw on a hard,
sandy bottom. The wreck is scattered over a large area.
Lump after lump of large metal mountains. Easy
to cut your wet suit. Her shape is nearly unrecognizable.
But within these many piles of wreckage you can
find artifacts and lobster. I caught a glimpse of Don with
a five pound lobster in his bag and his hand in a deep
hole. And, what do you know, he pulled out an eight
pounder with his claws snapping away, looking for some
fingers to chop off. He was too big for Don’s bag, being
the good buddy that I am, I put the large lobster in my
bag for safe- keeping, ha ha.
Skate
40
The water was pretty clear for this location, we
estimated 25 feet of visibility with a water temperature
of 54 degrees at the bottom. The more we swam around
the more lobsters we found so our bug bags were filling
up quickly. We were 35 minutes into our dive when I
noticed a large skate swimming along the bottom,
feeding on a small fish. I wished I brought my camera.
But Don did.
The dive had gone by so fast. It was time to head
back to the anchor line. Thus making sure we removed
the anchor from the sand so we could pull it back
aboard the boar easily.
At 15 fsw Don and I began our safety stop for 5
minutes. While holding on to the line we felt a strong
current pulling us away from the boat. As we broke the
surface, the waves had reached 5-8 feet and Dennis
said, “It’s about time you came up, let’s hit the road! By
the way, did you catch anything?”
5lb Lobster
41
A Few Tails
The sky erupted with thunder, lightening and
heavy rain. Seconds before, I had just finished snapping
the snap on the boat cover closed. A few minutes earlier
my dive buddy Don and I pulled our boat into a nearby
bar and grill on the water to sit out the storm before our
dive. Don had brought along cold cooked lobsters from
our previous dive. The kind you get when you order
your lobster appetizer in your favorite restaurant.
While discussing our dive plan I looked into my
dive bag, making sure that my lobster permit from New
York State was up to date. It entitles me to take up to
six lobsters per day. [Check regulations in the state you
are diving-there are sometimes variations in the limits
and measurement.] Don had already checked his
permit. Great. 12 juicy crunchy lobsters between the
two of us. Don passed the tartar sauce for my second
lobster to calm me down.
I turned over my lobster to examine the shell or
carapace, composed of chitin impregnated with calcium
salts. A bright calcium shell. Both antennae were
especially long-for this lobster they serve as tactile and
chemical senses-an alarm bell when danger is close.
Blue Claw Crab
42
I guessed that the antennae were not long
enough to save this lobster from my plate.
The wind picked up, the boat was bouncing on the
dock. My nostrils flared-I could smell the French fries
coming from the restaurant. I sipped my soda with
anticipation.
Like other crustaceans, crab, crayfish and lobster,
molting is a common event. The lobster molts seven
times during the first summer. A soft flexible cuticleshell is formed, allowing for growth. The old shell is
then dissolved or discarded. At this point the lobster is
most vulnerable to attack or disease.
Don looked at me and said “Did you stay up all
night and study this” It’s my marine science creeping up
on me. Lobstering is one of my favorite activities except
for wreck diving. Many other divers agree. Lobsters can
be found hiding under rocks, coral, inside wrecks, tires
and just walking along in the sand. In search of food.
Northern Lobster
43
The best time for lobster hunting is at night. Using
a bright light, all you have to do is seek out those
beautiful reddish antennae and shine your light into
their den.
The lobster will usually take a look to see who’s
there. Reach in quickly, deep into the hole. If he bites
your fingers it may seem like he got you- but you got
him! Just remember to carry your lobster gauge; make
sure your lobster meets state and local size limits from
the eye socket to the first joint. Also a big bug bag.
Those that don’t measure up, what lobsterman
call “shorts “are illegal to take. Don’t forget to check for
eggs under the tail. “Berried” females are to be left
behind so they can lay their eggs.
But the best part of lobstering is knowing the size
of the lobster to be taken. I always look for the size of
the claws. Usually the bigger the mitts, the bigger the
lobster weighs.
The lobster has two claws, a round claw called the
crusher, and the other called the scissor. The crusher is
designed for crushing clams and other snacks.
The scissor is sharper, less powerful than the
crusher, and much faster. It’s designed for grabbing
things that swim by. It’s the crushers most people
worry about. Lobsters take their sweet time to let go
once they’ve their vise-grip on you.
It looks like the day is going to be a wash out.
Leaning back in his chair, rubbing his belly. Don
thanked me for the lecture, asking when I was going to
speak next. My answer was next month…
44
Lots of Life
Each year thousands of divers will pack up their
scuba gear and fly south to dive a reef. They will spend
thousands of dollars on travel, diving in some foreign
country where the creature comforts are less than
satisfying. Making sure to pack their cameras and flash,
their secret reef map in hand.
Knowing by name what type of tropical fish they
will immortalize on slide film. Butterflyfish, seahorse,
groupers, moray eels, triggerfish and their favorite,
spider crabs.
I think it’s time to let the lobster out of the bug
bag. You don’t have to look any further than your own
back yard. The Eastern seaboard, including the shores
of New York and New Jersey are filled with living reefs,
manmade fish havens, and of course sunken ships that
go back hundreds of years. Some of these occurred
naturally, some planned, others by accident.
Butterflyfish and Seahorse
45
The bottom composition of Long Island and New
Jersey waters is mostly sand and naturally quite barren.
Artificial reefs provide a habit for all types of marine life
that establish a colony and flourish: thus the beginning
of the food chain. Over the past 40 years, planned reefs
have been built by private organizations, clubs,
fisherman and marine biologists. Except in New York
where Albany takes the money and does nothing.
These unique reefs consist of many things.
Thousands of tires stacked in pyramid shapes, cars,
barges, concrete blocks and ship wrecks.
In the 1990’s a 459 foot-long U.S.S. Algol (an
auxiliary cargo attack ship) was sunk by the New Jersey
Division of Fish and Wildlife as a reef.( New York does
nothing). Located offshore of Shark River Inlet, the
U.S.S. Algol is now a great attraction to marine life,
fisherman and divers.
The amount of marine life that inhabits these
reefs is so abundant; it’s like having your own fish tank.
Each reef’s makeup is very complex because many
micro organisms in coral, shellfish and plants serve a
special function in the ecosystem. They feed the lobster,
blackfish, sea bass and fluke. On the deeper reefs one
can find cod, ling and pollack. Reefs have many
different profiles.
A big factor in attracting different size marine life
is the height of the reef. Whether two feet high and
scattered across the bottom, or a high profile of a
sunken ship, the taller the reef, the larger the life.
Man made reefs are a photographer dream,
especially for macro work. Anemones attach themselves
to the nooks and crannies. Little creatures like shrimps
swim around them. Sponges, which contribute to the
reef building progress.
46
Acara
We head south out of Jones Inlet with the wind in
our faces and a cold breeze to our backs I zipped up my
wet suit jacket as we turned east past the jetty. The sun
was already setting- it would be a perfect night for a
dive. The seas were calm-like a sheet of glass-as we
raced to our destination.
The ACARA was a steel-hulled British steamship
built in England in 1898. On a cold and foggy night in
1902. Looking for the entrance to New York Harbor, the
ACARA sank-carrying a large cargo of Chinese teas,
spices and 14,800 tin ingots-when she hit the sand bar
in 25fsw just east of Jones Beach.
Now, commonly called the Tea Wreck, she lays
a good 500 yards off the beach broken up into three
large pieces, making a great home for many types of
marine life. Thinking back, I was introduced to the Tea
Wreck in 1971 by two divers, Don Finck and Bob Roth,
both YMCA Instructors. Whose expertise in wreck diving
and catching lobsters has always been a learning
experience for me.
On my depth recorder there was a large riseabout 10 feet off the bottom. My dive partner, Don
slowed the engine down as I threw the hook, he put the
engines into reverse to hook the wreck. We made sure
that our safety equipment- lights, surface float, strobe
light which we leave on the line, was attached securely.
We donned our gear.
Once in the water, we saw a school of bright
orange squid with blue spots feeding on spearing as
they darted in and out of our bright lights. Swimming
over the wreck we watched a large school of blackfish
dashing in and out of the wreck, closely followed by
small sea bass hunting for crumbs.
47
Since the Tea Wreck is badly broken up and her
decks have collapsed, many lobster roam her remaining
ribs and debris field.
There goes Don reaching for another lobster I had
my light on. Floating along the deck ever so quietly, I
saw two large red antennae slowly moving into a hole.
Quickly, I reached inside with my right hand-but my
flashlight went out in my left hand. I was in the dark,
unable to reach my back-up light and couldn’t see Don’s
light either…
Then my hand became stuck in the hole and the
lobster started biting my fingers. In the distance I saw
my buddy’s beam then, miraculously, my light went on
as soon as he arrived.
Figures. I made sure to grab the bug and put the
vicious critter into my bag. “And let that be a lesson to
you!” I said to the lobster as soon as he was safely
inside my bug bag. (In my mind I was already boiling
the pot of water). There are also plenty of artifacts to
find, if you are willing to dig, boat anchors, old bottles
and plenty of tea wrapped in silver paper. But tonight’s
mission was to find lobsters, so I continued my search.
Don of course, was already reaching for another lobster.
“Does that make 4 or 5 he’s got?” I wondered.
Acara
Photo courtesy of Suffolk Marine Museum
48
Swimming along her ribs west one can see white
coral and orange sponge that grows on the Tea
Wreck’s rusty hull. Peering in I noticed her wooden
decks still seem to match each other so neatly. Plenty of
old bottles littered her decks.
I watch small minnows dance across the top of
the deck while my second lobster ran for cover from my
light. Continuing west along the her hull I noticed a fast
current running the distance of the wreck, due to the
shallow depth and wave action. So the best time to dive
this wreck is on high tide.
Looking down at my bottom timer I realized it was
getting late. 35 minutes into our dive. We had gotten 8
lobster total. Not bad. We started back towards our
flashing beacon (strobe light).
At this point we have awakened many interesting
friends-who were happy to see us go-so I pulled the
anchor out of the wreck. Slowly moving up the line. I
took a last look back and to my surprise, a little pilot
fish with yellow and black stripes had followed us up the
line. Inquisitively. He hung around with us for part of
our safety stop.
Once our masks had broken the surface, the
weather and seas had changed and it was time to pull
up stakes and go home. As I looked back from the boat,
I knew I would be back again to dive the Tea Wreck
with the same enthusiasm I had for it 20 years ago.
49
The SS DRUMELZIER
Returning from an early day of offshore diving we
decided to spend the afternoon on a shallow wreck.
Within miles of any inlet lie many shipwrecks scattered
along New York shores, giving divers a chance to go
back in time when seafaring ships ruled the high seas.
Adventurous divers searching for lost treasurers can
weigh anchor almost anywhere in long Island waters.
The SS Drumelzier (alias Fire Island or Quadrant
Wreck) was a British freight steamship that left New
York Harbor on December 25, 1904. Sailing into a
raging storm she ran aground on a Fire Island sand bar.
The storm was to be the year’s worst and claimed
the body of the SS Drumelzier. Today her twisted and
scattered remains can be found a few hundred yards
south of Robert Moses State Park in 15-20 feet salt
water (fsw).
In the distance there was a diver down flag
bobbing in the surf. Approaching the area, we slowed
down and drifted towards the wreck. We discussed our
dive plan concerning the other divers on the site in the
water looking for their bubbles. And any part of the SS
Drumelzier peering though the surface.
Thinking about my shipwreck research I knew
how the Master helmsman Martin Ekaberg must have
felt that winter night. Holding tight to the wheel while
the waves broke over the bow, he had to use all his
strength to stay on course in the rough seas, as he had
many times before. Ice was forming on her decks.
The cabin was cold, damp with the sweet smell of
cherry tobacco.
50
Lighting a pipe behind him was Captain Nicholson.
With 30 years of storms and treacherous tides
journeying from India ocean to Scandinavia. Captain
Nicholson cleared New York Harbor on a northeast
course along the shore during the worst storm in
history. In New York Harbor.
Wave by wave everlasting darkness the SS
Drumelzier steamed forward, her crew wary of the
superstition, “We shouldn’t have sailed on Christmas,”
The engine’s powerful vibrations through her decks felt
as though she the ship would explode on the next wave.
Blinding snow made steering the ship almost
impossible. Waves began flooding over the decks and
iced formed on the rails, sky and seas merge into one.
Cool sweat ran down Ekaberg’s face distorting his
vision. With a sickening thud and sudden lurch his
greatest fear came true. Grounded!
SS Drumelzier
Courtesy Suffolk Marine Museum
51
Freezing snow and water were everywhere
throwing cargo about, iron and copper ore spilled into
the sea. The masthead spit in two on the deck and later,
even the smoke stack was torn from the deck as
thunder erupted in and around the ship. At the same
time the keel flattened out. Amidst the bellows of the
crew in the Persephone roared as smoke flooded the
lower decks. Captain Nicholson stood fast urging,
“Courage men, the storm will pass by morning.” Vainly
the engines screamed in reverse tearing the hull apart.
It would take four days for Captain and crew to all be
rescued as only a small life boat could navigate close
enough through the storm and powerful surf.
The cold water felt good against my face. We
checked the anchor against a fast current. (Remember
always swim into the current at the beginning of your
dive so you can drift back with it at the end when you
are tired). A lone bass seemed to fly by us swimming
east, heading for cover. Working our way west, I
encounter the shell of the wreck that was the SS
Drumelzier.
Her rudder quadrant can be found easily and is
visible at the surface at dead low tide. With its strong
currents, surges, and plentiful ribs careless divers can
be injured at this site. I did have hopes of finding some
artifacts today buried beneath the few remaining hull
plates and around the sand bottom but I could hear
boats running overhead.
Looking up I wondered if they were going to hit
us. We made sure to stay close to the ribs, while cutting
miles of fishing line that runs rampant through the
wreck.
A little later into our dive still fighting a fierce
current, I signaled my partner that I was tired. This was
not as easy as usual. It was time to head back, this
time with the current…
52
Thomas Dunlap
Wheels Anyone?
I had my Far Rockaway football jacket on with the
hood up over my head this early October morning
boarding the Jeanne II. The weather report called for
sunny skies with temperatures reaching the high 60’s in
the afternoon: still there was a chill in the air. Our
destination was the Liberty Ship Thomas Dunlap, just
west of Ambrose Light.
Pushing my way into the cabin I found the group
trying to stay warm. Most of the divers were excited
about this wreck. In the corner a diver was bragging
about an artifact from his last dive, a brass wheel three
inches across. This peaked my interest, I hadn’t found a
brass wheel in years.
The Thomas Dunlap was a Liberty Ship serving in
WW II. There are many stories concerning her sinking in
the war but the Dunlap’s secret went to her grave and
still remains a mystery today. (Maybe she was hit by a
torpedo or a mine from a U boat). Her hull is broken,
twisted and scattered over a large sandy bottom where
large schools of bluefish roam.
There were 2751 Liberty ships made during WW II.
The Liberty ships were 441 feet long and 56 feet wide.
Her three-cylinder, reciprocating steam engine, fed by
two oil-burning boilers produced 2,500 horse power and
a speed of 11 knots. Her 5 cargo holds could carry over
9,000 tons of cargo, plus airplanes, tanks, and
locomotives lashed to its deck. A Liberty ship could carry
2,840 jeeps, 440 tanks, or 230 million rounds of rifle
ammunition.
53
Liberty ships were prefabricated: made out of steel
and cement due to the shortage of raw materials at a
cost of $2,000,000 dollars each. They were named to
represent the courage, support, and fighting spirit of the
American people during the Second World War. Usually
built in one day, and designed for one transatlantic
voyage, most liberty ships had a short life span. Their
sole purpose was to deliver troops and cargo.
Liberty Ships carried a crew of about 44 and 12 to
25 Naval Armed Guards. Some were armed with:
6 20 mm machine guns
One 3 inch bow gun
One 4 or 5 inch stern gun
Two 37 mm bow guns
Thomas Dunlap
54
The water out west was more green than blue.
Descending down the anchor line was slow. A lone
striped bass deliberate in her stride searching for small
bait fish passed me by. My old friend the jellyfish kept
me company along with a couple of hundred friends,
sparkling in the green mist.
There was trouble on the line, a diver could not
clear his ears. So I signaled to him to go up a few feet,
take his time and try again. I waited until his ears had
cleared then continued down the line.
Looking back down I could see the wreck about 30
feet away. I let the line go, disturbing a school of porgies
floating quietly over the wreck waiting for a herd of
approaching spearing. Pushing them aside I ventured on.
Underwater Explores
55
I swam along the portside of the wreck towards
the stern, where I could see brass pipes. Leaving them
aside for the other divers, I saw large hull plates
littering the bottom creating plenty of nooks and
crannies for lobsters to hide. Maybe under all this debris
lay a buried wheel; that would be a prized artifact.
Sticking out of the sand was a steel propeller
blade scarred, battle weary, and lifeless. No doubt
concealing a past journey across the North Atlantic.
Blackfish dashed in and out of her hull plates chasing
sea bass, and a rock crab rested motionless waiting for
a piece of the loser.
My mission was simple; enjoy the dive. In the
distance I could see the boilers, standing tall about 15
feet off the bottom, encrusted with soft white and
yellow coral. Barnacles fought anemones for space,
orange sponge creeping up the side of the boilers. At
the base I spotted my five pound lobster, finally.
The struggle began. As I reached deep into the
hole, the lobster began biting my fingers and my mask
up against the boiler began to flood. Pulling my hand
out I let go of the lobster.
Clearing my mask, there it was the biggest wheel
I ever saw! It was three feet across attacked to the
boilers. Happy, happy, happy. Boy did I feel great.
Checking my down time, I was at 72 fsw with 36
minutes into the dive. How do I get it off with no tools?
Out of nowhere divers descended on my wheel!
Yanking and pulling on my wheel! I shouted though my
regulator, almost biting my mouth piece in half.”Don’t
touch my wheel! It’s mine! “
56
The wheel didn’t move a hair. After a few
frustrating minutes the two divers gave up. This made
me happy; the sea urchins still have a place to hide.
They lay perched on the boiler camouflaged by their
dark brown color with short needle- like spines
protruding from their bodies in all directions.
Remember, their spines can cause illness if removed
forcefully.
The divers signaled me that they were on their
way up and I headed back to the anchor line. With one
last look I waved goodbye. The Thomas Dunlap’s
secret will be safe with me…
Brass Wheel
57
U.S.S. San Diego
By Captain Steve Lombardo
A bright red sun rises over the Eastern Horizon as
the RV Garloo heads towards my favorite shipwreck, the
Armored Cruiser USS San Diego. Commissioned the
USS California, the 500’ long ship was launched in
1904, part of Theodore Roosevelt’s “Great White Fleet”.
After 15 years of distinguished service, the ship
suffered a massive port side explosion on July 19, 1918,
and sank with the loss of six lives. Later it was
determined that the U-156 had been laying mines in the
area, although Captain Christy was convinced to his
dying day that it was a torpedo.
Well, there will be no loss of life today, not if I can
help it. The mission is to place a Memorial Plaque on the
shipwreck commemorating the sinking and those who
gave their lives on July 19, 1918, 90 years earlier.
We quickly reach the location of the USS San
Diego, 13.5 miles Southeast of Fire Island Inlet. We are
in 110fsw of flat, calm ocean water, a diver’s dream.
The sensation that this will be a great day runs through
the boat. The tie-in is efficiently accomplished. The
team is ready to splash into the water.
Everybody is treated like royalty, as if they were
in the Caribbean, resulting in the dive boat being called
“the Garlibbean”. But once the team is back, it’s my
turn to venture into the dark side.
Entering the warm, clear blue water, I feel
confident in the fact that there are two full 120 cubic
foot tanks on my back, with plenty of air for my
Poseidon Odin regulators.
58
The commemorative plaque is in my gloved
hands, attached to a lanyard for safety. If all goes
according to plan it will be secured by tie wraps at the
location of the explosion hole. The rule is “Plan your
dive and dive your plan” but any diver worth his salt
knows how rarely everything goes according to plan.
Descending through the jungle of jellyfish that
surrounds the shipwreck, I approached the light side on
the docking keel (starboard) and immediately start
kicking for the corresponding structure on the dark side.
Reaching the dark side docking keel, I turn left and start
forward, pulling and gliding as the docking keel
disappears, only to reappear and grow for another
hundred feet or so. Now it’s time to drop down the dark
side and enter the explosion hole. I hovered for a
moment of silence and thought to myself. “Brave men,
dark waters”
ARA Post card of the USS San Diego
"Gone but not forgotten”
59
I detach the commemorative plaque from the
lanyard and secure it just inside the hole with tie wraps.
After a minute of silence, I proceed down the cofferdam
to the torpedo room. Traversing the large open space, I
swim under the twin overlapping Torpedo tubes and
forward towards the exit.
Seeing a lobster, I grab it despite the fact that I
neglected to bring a bug bag. Good, no eggs on the
belly, it’s a keeper. Swimming towards the exit hole on
the light side, I suddenly find it almost impossible to
breathe!
Popping my alternate air source in my mouth, I
am relieved to find it working perfectly. Then I notice
what the problem was – the lobster I grabbed is holding
my air hose in his crusher claw!
Rising up the anchor line to my safety stop, I have
a chance to reflect on a beautiful dive, and anticipate
how good my lobster dinner will taste.
Capt. Steve Lombardo
60
Sharks
The Ten Deadliest Sharks
61
Sharks
Sharks can be found in all the world oceans. Over
the years I have seen many sharks in the ocean and on
the fisherman’s hook. It always amazes me that these
creatures instill great fear into the unsuspecting diver
who enters the water. Every time a diver dives in the
ocean there is a thought in the back of his mind. That the
diver might run into a shark. The thrill of adrenaline and
adventure enables the diver to venture into the cool blue
water that surrounds us.
Sharks are a type of fish with a full cartilaginous
skeleton and a highly streamlined body. According to the
fossil record the earliest known sharks date back more
than 420 million years ago. Since that time, sharks have
diversified into over 500 species, ranging in size from the
small dwarf lantern shark, a deep sea species of only
6.7 in in length, to the whale shark, the largest fish,
which reaches approximately 39 ft and which feeds only
on plankton, squid, and small fish by filter feeding.
Sharks are found in all seas and are common down
to depths greater than 6,600 ft. They generally do not
live in freshwater, with a few exceptions such as the Bull
shark and the River shark which can live both in
seawater and freshwater. They breathe through five to
seven gill slits. Sharks have a covering of dermal
denticles that protects their skin from damage and
parasites, and improves their fluid dynamics so the shark
can move faster. They have several sets of replaceable
teeth. Each year new species of shark are being caught.
62
Well-known species such as the Great White shark,
Tiger shark, Blue shark, Mako shark, Bull shark, Ocean
White tip shark and the Hammerhead shark are apex
predators at the top of the underwater food chain. These
animals have extraordinary skills as predators. Their
survival is under serious threat from fishing and other
human activities.
I have listed here the Ten deadliest sharks starting
at number 10.
63
Lemon shark, Negaprion brevirostris, is a Shark in
the family Carcharhinidae, that can grow to 10 feet
(3.0 m) long. It is known as the lemon shark because, at
certain depths, light interacting with the local seawater
can give this shark a tanned and yellow pitted
appearance, much like the surface of a lemon. Some
Lemon sharks have been sighted as far North as Long
Island, New York.
Lemon Shark
Freesharkpictures.com
#10
64
The Blue shark (Prionace glauca) is a species of
requiem shark, family Carchinidae, that inhabits deep
waters in the world's temperate and tropical oceans.
Preferring cooler waters, blue sharks migrate long
distances, for example from New England to South
America. Although generally lethargic, they can move
very quickly.
Blue sharks are viviparous and are noted for large
litters of 25 to over 100 pups. They feed primarily on
small fish and squid, although they can take larger prey.
Blue sharks often school segregated by sex and
size, and this behavior has led to their nickname "wolves
of the sea".
Blue Shark
#9
65
The Hammerhead sharks are a group of
sharks in the family Sphyrnidae, so named for the
unusual and distinctive structure of their heads, which
are flattened and laterally extended into a "hammer"
shape called a "cephalofoil". Most hammerhead
species are placed in the genus Sphyrna while the
winged-head shark is placed in its own genus,
Eusphyra. Many, not necessarily mutually exclusive,
functions have been proposed for the cephalofoil,
including sensory reception, maneuvering, and prey
manipulation. Hammerheads are found worldwide in
warmer waters along coastlines and continental
shelves. Unlike most sharks, hammerheads usually
swim in schools. Some of these schools can be found
near Malpelo Island in Colombia, Cocos Island by
Costa Rica and near Molokai Island in Hawaii.
Great Hammerhead Shark
#8
66
Sand sharks, also known as sand tiger sharks or
ragged tooth sharks, are lamniform sharks of the family
Odontaspididae (or sometimes - but incorrectly - referred
to as Carchariidae). They are found worldwide in
temperate and tropical waters, including on both sides of
the Atlantic coast, but most notably in the Western
Indian Ocean and in the Gulf of Maine. There are four
species in two genera. Sand sharks are the only shark
known to surface for gulps of air. They store the air in
their stomachs which allows them to float motionless in
the water as they hunt for prey.
Sand Tiger Shark
#7
67
Grey Reef shark (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos,
sometimes misspelled amblyrhynchus or amblyrhinchos)
is a species of requiem shark, family Carcharhinidae. One
of the most common reef sharks in the Indo-Pacific, it is
found as far east as Easter Island and as far west as
South Africa. This species is most often seen in shallow
water near the drop-offs of coral reefs. The grey reef
shark has the typical "reef shark" shape, with a broad,
round snout and large eyes. This species can be
distinguished from similar species by the plain or whitetipped first dorsal fin, the dark tips on the other fins, the
broad black rear margin on the tail fin, and the lack of a
ridge between the dorsal fins.
Grey Reef Shark
#6
68
The Short Fin Mako shark, Isurus oxyrinchus
("sharp nose"), is a large marckerel shark. Along with
the closely related longfin mako (Isurus paucus) it is
commonly referred to as a "Mako shark". The
shortfin mako inhabits offshore temperate and
tropical seas worldwide. The closely related longfin
mako shark, Isurus paucus, is found in the Gulf
Stream or warmer offshore waters. It is a pelagic
species that can be found from the surface down to
depths of 150 m (490 ft), normally far from land
though occasionally closer to shore, around islands or
inlets. One of only four known endothermic sharks, it
is seldom found in waters colder than 16 °C (61 °F).
In the western Atlantic it can be found from
Argentina and the Gulf of Mexico to Browns Bank off
of Nova Scotia.
Mako Shark
#5
69
The Oceanic Whitetip shark, Carcharhinus
longimanus, is a large pelagic shark inhabiting tropical
and warm temperate seas. Its stocky body is most
notable for its long, white-tipped, rounded fins. This
aggressive but slow-moving fish dominates feeding
frenzies, and is a danger to shipwreck or air crash
survivors. Recent studies show steeply declining
populations because its large fins are highly valued as
the chief ingredient of shark fin soap and, as with other
shark species, the whitetip faces mounting fishing
pressure throughout its range.
Ocean White Tip Shark
#4
70
Tiger shark, Galeocerdo cuvier, is a species of
requiem shark and the only member of the genus
Galeocerdo. Commonly known as sea tigers, tiger
sharks are relatively large macropredators, capable of
attaining a length of over 5 m (16 ft). It is found in
many tropical and temperate waters, and is especially
common around central Pacific islands. Its name derives
from the dark stripes down its body, which resemble a
tiger’s pattern and fade as the shark matures. Its diet
involves a wide range of prey, including crustaceans,
fish, seals, birds, smaller sharks, squids, turtles, sea
snakes, and dolphins. The tiger shark is considered a
near threatened species. While the tiger shark is
considered to be one of the most dangerous sharks. The
tiger is second on the list of number of recorded attacks
on humans, with the great white shark being first.
Tiger Shark
#3
71
The Great White shark, scientific name
Carcharodon carcharias, also known as the Great white,
white pointer, white shark, or white death, is a
large shark found in coastal surface waters in all major
oceans. The great white shark is known for its size, with
the largest individuals known to have approached or
exceeded 6 meters (20 ft) in length, and 2,268 kilograms
(5,000 lb) in weight. This shark reaches maturity at
around 15 years of age and can have a life span of over
30 years. The great white shark is arguably the world's
largest known extant macro predatory fish and is one of
the primary predators of marine mammals. It is also
known to prey upon a variety of other marine animals
including fish, pinnipeds, and seabirds. It is the only
known surviving species of its genus, Carcharodon,
and is ranked first in a list of number of recorded attacks
on humans.
Great White Shark
#2
72
The Bull shark, Carcharhinus leucas, also known
as Zambezi shark or unofficially known as Zambia in
Africa and Nicaragua shark in Nicaragua, is a shark
common worldwide in warm, shallow waters along coasts
and in rivers. The bull shark is well known for its
unpredictable, often aggressive behavior. The bull shark
can thrive in both saltwater and freshwater and can
travel far up rivers. They have even been known to travel
as far up as Indiana in the Ohio River and Illinois in the
Mississippi River, there have been more reported attacks
involving bull sharks than any other sharks. They are
probably responsible for the majority of near-shore shark
attacks including many attacks attributed to other
species. However, bull sharks are not true freshwater
sharks (unlike the river sharks of the genus Glyphis).
Bull Shark
#1
73
Suggested Reading & Viewing
American Museum of Natural History
Manhattan, NY 10024
Kirby Kurkomelis
Introduction to Scientific Diving
[email protected]
New York Aquarium
Brooklyn, NY 11224
Old Ship Picture Gallery
contact [email protected]
Skin Diver Magazine
1951-1990’s
Petersen Publishing Co
Los Ángeles, CA 90017
Sub Aqua Journal Articles
Joel Silverstein, Publisher
Kirby Kurkomelis, Writer
1988 -1995
[email protected]
US Merchant Marine Academy Museum
Kings Point, NY 11204
Sharks
St Martin’s Press
New York NY 10010
NJSUBA.com
Wreck Valley Series
[email protected]
74
Ideas come and go, dreams last forever
Kirby Kurkomelis

Adventures in the Underwater Classroom

Transcription

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